SPOTLIGHT: Okonkwo

This Weeks Spotlight: Okonkwo

Although Okonkwo is already well known in all the villages and throughout the clan, he is still one of the major elders that haven't received a spotlight... 

Early Life: Okonkwo grew up with a mother and father, just like most people have, but what exactly

was it that drove him to be so successful? Lets find out. He grew up rather poor, mainly because his

father had a tendency to not pay back his debts. During our recent interview Okonkwo was able to

recall the aspects of his childhood that made him who he is today. He grew up in an environment

very similar to any kid really, he said, but what he noticed that was different between his childhood

from others was that he had a direct influence from his father. He said that his father had groups of

ten lines etched into the walls and floor, and with each stroke down the groups it represented a debt

of 100 cowries. So not only did Okonkwo want to have nothing to do with being poor, but he also

noticed how his father was lazy and let life take things from him. Okonkwo said he wanted to be a

respectable man who took charge of life and was hardworking unlike his father.

Later In Life: Well, Okonkwo is one of the many examples of hard work and everything it can bring

you. Not only did he train everyday to become a better wrestler and fighter(to later become greatest

wrestler in all the land and one of the most decorated warriors), but he also worked hard everyday on

his farms and also made sure to pay back on all his investments and loans from other people. Even

so, Okonkwo had gotten all the titles except for one, and would've been the youngest person ever to

accomplish that. Not only was Okonkwo able to fill his many barns full of yams, but he was able to

do it three times, having been banished and having to start over another two times. In a time of more

and more civil unrest and younger generations loosing their way, the story of Okonkwo(even his

many failures, hardships and flaws) is one that should be told to all as a way of inspiration(Achebe 4-209).

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor, 1994. Print.